All the oceans you see are potential ports. So what is happening with Ibom? Look at the Port Harcourt terminal started by Shagari—it’s still not functioning as it should, just like the Warri and Calabar ports. There is a deliberate effort to keep these ports and the economy from opening up.
Are you aware that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is the only port authority in the world with an office and a guest house in London for managing a port in Nigeria? Can you believe that?
The reason for ongoing inefficiency is that some people benefit from it.Nigeria is fortunate to have ports all over the country, but they are deliberately kept underutilized to maintain the status quo. This prevents the economy from opening up, where people’s talent and hard work could create opportunities, leaving nothing for those who thrive on confusion.
For instance, it takes three months to clear goods at Nigerian ports, whereas it takes only two days in Cotonou (Togo), and similarly in Ghana and Ivory Coast. I have traveled to Singapore and other countries specifically to study their ports and understand what works for them.
Twenty years ago, the busiest port in terms of operations was Singapore. Today, ports like Shanghai and Rotterdam have risen to prominence. These things change quickly.
We are going to dismantle this confusion and get the country to work. It’s not rocket science—managing ports is not difficult. I will bring in the private sector to build and manage ports in collaboration with the government, as is the practice worldwide. There is no reason Nigeria should not be exporting at least N300 billion worth of products.
The other candidates say I’m stingy, but they don’t understand that investments and savings are crucial for development.
-His Excellency, Peter Obi.
